So the big day was here.
A and I did this race in 2009, when it was in May (read cooler). It is the same course as the Chattahoochee Challenge that I have done in 2010 and 2011 (February). So, what could go wrong? Nothing besides I didn't feel trained for it, I didn't want to do it and I had no passion about it.
Friday night, A, D and I all got emails telling us they were closing the Nature Center at 615am, and we would have to park a mile away. No big deal. Been there done that 3times. So A picked us up at 615 and off we went to Roswell. We get to the road we need to turn on to turn onto the road we need to park at 645. It is closed. D asks the cop where we are supposed to go (remember none of us are familiar with Roswell, except for how to get to this one place). He tells us to "Go up there, and points to some trees." D says, "Thanks, Asshole," as A turns and goes north. Luckily, I have my phone and we get a map and find where "up there" is, and manage to get to where we want to park. We grab the last space where we wanted to park thanks to D's awesome navigation skills and the fact A's Subaru takes curbs like a champ.
We hike it over to the Nature Center- .8 miles away, and get our numbers. A uses the Spot-A-Pot, and I grab some water (why does a Nature Center use plastic cups and have no recycling?). I'm sweating like a whore in church. It is 72 degrees, 94% humiditiy. After we get all situated, we walk to the starting line, .46 miles away. After a few minutes we were off.
I don't think I could run slower. I felt like I was running through sludge. D and A are nowhere around me after about .1 mile. What the hell was I thinking to run this race? I didn't train like I said I would. Why am I singing "Smoke on the Water" (thanks, D!) while ABBA is playing? I get to a small decline and of course 9 minutes has passed so I walk. I turn the corner, and Garmin says 1 minute is up at 12:02. The Mile Timer says 12:30 (it is chipped time).
I'm ran to the water station and got 2 little cups, and poured one on me and drank the other. At the same time the winner came back the other way. No one was near him for about another minute. I focused on keeping my form up. I got to Mile 2 at 12:29. Mile Timer was at 2.04 miles according to Garmin. I didn't see D, but I saw A pass me (out and back). I waved, but she was very focused. She was also further along than I thought she would be. I saw this power builder also. He was about 5 people behind her. I turned at Roswell RD and thought evil things about the non-helpful cop, and wondered if he was the one who didn't know what a 5K was. Then I started back. I still was focusing on my form. The last people were closer to me than I thought they would be. I was a little bummed about that. I thought I was going a little faster to not be so close to the back. Right before I got to Mile 3, I saw the power builder. He was not looking good. He was still ahead of me. Mile 3 was 12:29 as well.
At the next water stop, I did the water on the head and the water in my mouth. I was still focusing on my form. People were passing me, but such is life. Right before the turn, was Mile 4 and that was 13:13. My fastest 4 miles yet. So I started on Mile 5. There was one hill in this section. Body Builder had now decided I wasn't going to pass him. But he was still hurting. I was trying to figure out if the woman next to me had something in her music to tell her when to walk, because she had no watch. I tried to pay attention to picking up my legs, but I was getting hot(ter). When I did my 1 minute walk, I felt dizzy. It went away when I ran. We got to the finish (we had more to go), BB went and got water. That is when I FINALLY passed him. I was kind of happy to pass him, because I wasn't really sure what to do if he dropped dead in front of me (I know, nice...). I saw D and waved. My Garmin went off after I passed the Center. 64 minutes for 5 miles. But the 5 Mile Timer was at 5.15 miles when I got to it.
I knew I had 2 more hills (one hill but up down turn around up down). I was lucky enough to hit a walking part when I got to the it, so I walked up the hill. By the time I got to the top, it was time to run again. I started. Then down and around, and up. I kept slowing down going up, that I decided to walk and save some energy. When I got to the top, I started running again. Where the hell was the finish? I ran all the way to 6 (14 something minutes) and decided I was done. It was techinically time to walk, so I did. For 30 seconds. Then I decided to be done. And ran the rest of the way in.
Of course there was no photographer there. This pissed me off (D later said he went to the bathroom, and then went to take pics of the winners...I guess they don't realize the slow people actually BUY the pics!). Anyway, I was pissed off. I decided to get in below 82 minutes. I kicked it up. But there was nothing to kick. My legs wouldn't go. I gave it as much muster as I could, but nothing. I crossed at 82:08. And like every other race on this course, 6.31 miles according to Garmin.
D ran and got me 2 cups of water. I downed them, and went and got some more. We went and got our T-shirts. Luckily they didn't run out, although they ran out of environmentally friendly shopping bags (again). I got a banana and some more water, and we found A. And we walked the .8 miles back to the car.
When we got home, I looked up the times. We all got PRs!
So I am trying to be happy about the new PR. I know in better weather, it would have been faster, so that in 94% humidity, I should be ecstatic. I'm blaming my non-excitement on the humidity. I really hate this weather.
Weight I have lost
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Will I be Last?
So about 6 weeks ago, I decided I was running a 10K this coming Saturday. Fresh off the half-marathon, it would be no issue. I wanted a faster time, so I printed out Hal Higdon's 10K Intermediate Training. I achieved one week, and then fell out of it. D and I lifted for 3 weeks until I noticed lifting really hurt my hip. So we stopped. Then we just got busy/burned out. Neither of us wanted to run what Mr. Higdon had on the schedule. We didn't care. Then as we watched McMenamin destroy the house more and more each day, we played with him and Scuttlebutt more and more.
The plan went out the window. Last weekend I ran 7 miles. It was hard. It was hot out and the humidity sucked. This past week, I got up at 5 and ran with McM. We ran 4 miles and 2 miles. At the gym, I ran 2 miles in 23 minutes. With McM, I ran it in 32 minutes. 4 miles was over an hour. Surely it was just him, right? Never mind it was 70+ degrees at 5AM.
So this Saturday we had 8 miles on tap. I told D I hated running with McM. I was walking SB when I decided I would take him 2 miles and then go home, get some water and run 4 more miles (yes, I had already decided to skip 2 of the miles). So SB and I ran, sans his Gentle Leader. He did decently. We only had to yell at one asshole, who had his dog on a retractable leash and wouldn't retract it away from SB (as I'm running on the grass across the street). I stopped and told him to get the fuck away from us. At 730am, I'm sure this is not the first thing he wanted to hear, but stop being stupid. We had to skip a little of our path, as 2 big dogs (D said 3) were loose, so we had to run on the main road on the sidewalk (not good with a bad hip). Finally we got home. 29 minutes. McM was already home.
I dropped SB off and grabbed some water and then went and did 2 more miles. Up to Stolen Car Apartments, to the Prison, and back into the subdivision. Faster miles still. Went back up to Stolen Car Apartments. The old men who drink beer are not crazy so they weren't outside. I decided I didn't want to run up Nemesis Hill, so I ran on the street by the prison. I got honked at and told to run on the sidewalk. I went down a new road, and it was a hill. Finished that road and back to Prison Road to German Shepherd Pass.
Ok, I'll turn and do another mile. So I ran to Terrorist Dog Hill. They were out (I hadn't seen them all year). They are still Terrorists. I didn't see the roaming dogs. I skipped Needle Hill and Bellsouth Hill, and Friday Hill, and just ran the part of the path I had skipped earlier. OK back around, and only .4 clicks (a tenth of a mile) to 6, so I ran up Needle and Bellsouth. Skipped Friday. I finished up and was back at German Shepherd Pass, when I didn't feel like running down Nemesis Hill. My shirt was heavy. I was getting slower and slower. I was pretty sure I can walk faster, but oh well. So I ran back on Prison Road. My time to Mile 7 was way off and I needed to walk so I walked (on the sidewalk) until I got to a down power line, and then started back on the road. I eventually reached the subdivision again, and finished up the 8th mile. I was drenched, although I noticed I was no longer sweating.
According to Wunderground, the humidity was 68%, 72 degrees when I started.
So I have no idea what to expect for my 10K. Not a PR, that is for sure.
In other news, I found a new beer store. It is a convenience store with a cellar. The guy seems knowledgeable about beer. And I tried another new local...Jailhouse Mugshot IPA.
The plan went out the window. Last weekend I ran 7 miles. It was hard. It was hot out and the humidity sucked. This past week, I got up at 5 and ran with McM. We ran 4 miles and 2 miles. At the gym, I ran 2 miles in 23 minutes. With McM, I ran it in 32 minutes. 4 miles was over an hour. Surely it was just him, right? Never mind it was 70+ degrees at 5AM.
So this Saturday we had 8 miles on tap. I told D I hated running with McM. I was walking SB when I decided I would take him 2 miles and then go home, get some water and run 4 more miles (yes, I had already decided to skip 2 of the miles). So SB and I ran, sans his Gentle Leader. He did decently. We only had to yell at one asshole, who had his dog on a retractable leash and wouldn't retract it away from SB (as I'm running on the grass across the street). I stopped and told him to get the fuck away from us. At 730am, I'm sure this is not the first thing he wanted to hear, but stop being stupid. We had to skip a little of our path, as 2 big dogs (D said 3) were loose, so we had to run on the main road on the sidewalk (not good with a bad hip). Finally we got home. 29 minutes. McM was already home.
I dropped SB off and grabbed some water and then went and did 2 more miles. Up to Stolen Car Apartments, to the Prison, and back into the subdivision. Faster miles still. Went back up to Stolen Car Apartments. The old men who drink beer are not crazy so they weren't outside. I decided I didn't want to run up Nemesis Hill, so I ran on the street by the prison. I got honked at and told to run on the sidewalk. I went down a new road, and it was a hill. Finished that road and back to Prison Road to German Shepherd Pass.
Ok, I'll turn and do another mile. So I ran to Terrorist Dog Hill. They were out (I hadn't seen them all year). They are still Terrorists. I didn't see the roaming dogs. I skipped Needle Hill and Bellsouth Hill, and Friday Hill, and just ran the part of the path I had skipped earlier. OK back around, and only .4 clicks (a tenth of a mile) to 6, so I ran up Needle and Bellsouth. Skipped Friday. I finished up and was back at German Shepherd Pass, when I didn't feel like running down Nemesis Hill. My shirt was heavy. I was getting slower and slower. I was pretty sure I can walk faster, but oh well. So I ran back on Prison Road. My time to Mile 7 was way off and I needed to walk so I walked (on the sidewalk) until I got to a down power line, and then started back on the road. I eventually reached the subdivision again, and finished up the 8th mile. I was drenched, although I noticed I was no longer sweating.
According to Wunderground, the humidity was 68%, 72 degrees when I started.
So I have no idea what to expect for my 10K. Not a PR, that is for sure.
In other news, I found a new beer store. It is a convenience store with a cellar. The guy seems knowledgeable about beer. And I tried another new local...Jailhouse Mugshot IPA.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
In the Ghetto
So I have been running, sort of. Like most things in my life right now, I am kind of half-assing it. I think I'm depressed. I'm really not enjoying much. I'm not hating much either. Everything is just eh.
I told D about the way I was feeling. He said he was having the same issue. Maybe it is just too damn hot out and we just don't care. Eh.
Well McMenamin doesn't feel the same as us. He is loving destroying anything he can find while we are gone (I think I already said he ate through his crate). We decided to tire him out exercising, but we are going on the 10th or 11th day of 90+ degree days, so he can't go run with us. The past 2 nights I've been asleep by 9pm, and am awake when D gets up at 5am. So this morning, I got up and decided to take McM out for a 2 or 4 mile run.
So D and I walked him and SB and then D took SB home (much to SB's dismay). McM and I went up to German Shepherd Pass and started running. It took us about 5 minutes to get that I wanted him to run on the left side of me, and he wanted to run where ever and it would be great to run between my legs. So we alternated throughout the run like that. He managed to poop on a condom in the middle of the road (no, I didn't clean it up). And when we went up Friday hill, a lady was at the bus stop. McM saw her right as a rooster crowed, and it scared the shit out of him (not literally, because he already left that on the condom). So we went down Friday hill rather fast. I decided we would go for 4 miles. While we ran down the hill by the school, I noticed I was singing this...
So I'm singing and McM takes off down the hill. It took all I could do to slow us down. I could see myself breaking my nose from him pulling me down. We ended up going really slowly on that section. We turned around and saw 3 loose dogs. Yay!
However, I don't think a Collie with no legs (a Corgi), a miniature Golden Retriever, and something else would get us. So we went back up the School Hill. We started the route again but at Bellsouth Hill, McM started walking. As I was assessing if he was dehydrated (as we turned for home), he saw a squirrel, so off we went.
We went back to the Subdivision and down the hill. Another freaking rooster. Since when do I live in the frigging X-burbs? Again, McM went apeshit, so that mile finished up fast.
I'm hoping he is worn out. I've already wanted to go to sleep 3 times since 6am.
And I got home and checked my email. Apparently gun shots rang out at 5 and there were cop cars. Um, yeah, no. I'm pretty sure we would have heard those. So we may have roosters, but we're in the ghetto...
I told D about the way I was feeling. He said he was having the same issue. Maybe it is just too damn hot out and we just don't care. Eh.
Well McMenamin doesn't feel the same as us. He is loving destroying anything he can find while we are gone (I think I already said he ate through his crate). We decided to tire him out exercising, but we are going on the 10th or 11th day of 90+ degree days, so he can't go run with us. The past 2 nights I've been asleep by 9pm, and am awake when D gets up at 5am. So this morning, I got up and decided to take McM out for a 2 or 4 mile run.
So D and I walked him and SB and then D took SB home (much to SB's dismay). McM and I went up to German Shepherd Pass and started running. It took us about 5 minutes to get that I wanted him to run on the left side of me, and he wanted to run where ever and it would be great to run between my legs. So we alternated throughout the run like that. He managed to poop on a condom in the middle of the road (no, I didn't clean it up). And when we went up Friday hill, a lady was at the bus stop. McM saw her right as a rooster crowed, and it scared the shit out of him (not literally, because he already left that on the condom). So we went down Friday hill rather fast. I decided we would go for 4 miles. While we ran down the hill by the school, I noticed I was singing this...
So I'm singing and McM takes off down the hill. It took all I could do to slow us down. I could see myself breaking my nose from him pulling me down. We ended up going really slowly on that section. We turned around and saw 3 loose dogs. Yay!
However, I don't think a Collie with no legs (a Corgi), a miniature Golden Retriever, and something else would get us. So we went back up the School Hill. We started the route again but at Bellsouth Hill, McM started walking. As I was assessing if he was dehydrated (as we turned for home), he saw a squirrel, so off we went.
We went back to the Subdivision and down the hill. Another freaking rooster. Since when do I live in the frigging X-burbs? Again, McM went apeshit, so that mile finished up fast.
I'm hoping he is worn out. I've already wanted to go to sleep 3 times since 6am.
And I got home and checked my email. Apparently gun shots rang out at 5 and there were cop cars. Um, yeah, no. I'm pretty sure we would have heard those. So we may have roosters, but we're in the ghetto...
Monday, May 23, 2011
Last Week Wrapup...
So this last week was a fail in the running schedule. It started strong enough.
Monday D and I lifted, so I ran 1 mile. I almost can break 11 minutes. I just have to plan the timing better. But it is cool to be done in almost less than 11 minutes. Tuesday, the weather didn't get about 61 degrees. So I took advantage of the lovely weather and ran outside (4.5 miles).
Wednesday was 9 400s. It was also a special release of Terrapin Wake-n-Bake at a local pub for American Craft Beer Week. And D was going out of town on Thursday, so we HAD to go get one. Yeah, so the 9 400s, didn't happen.
Thursday, any thought of the 9 400s went out the window. I got home, stuck a pizza in the oven and took the dogs out for a "quick walk." Both dogs got off leash, and Scuttlebutt took off. So McMenamin and I came home so I could put on appropriate shoes to chase SB, and the house was full of smoke. It seems the broiler pan caught on fire in the oven. I will have to investigate smoke detectors since ours right by the oven didn't go off (you couldn't see from the front door to the kitchen). So after taking care of that, and changing shoes, I went and found Scuttlebutt. All of this commotion occurred in 20 minutes. So I ate the whole pizza I made (which miraculously didn't catch fire in the oven). Oh and I won't start the oven and leave the house again. Lesson learned. Then around 9 a helicopter hovered over the house looking for someone who shot at a cop (I would link you to a story, but American Idol happened that day, and Arnold Schwarzenegger had sex while not governor, so the cop shooting wasn't covered on the 10pm news like those other important items were). So then I had to spend the time, closing the doors that were open from the smoke, pray no one was going to kill me, and quiet the dogs (who didn't get the last walk of the night because of the helicopter). So any thought of 9 400s was really gone.
Friday, I didn't get home until 745 because I went to get a chicken sausage, but there was a guy face down on the ground with the cops pointing guns, and handcuffing him in the Chicken Sausage Stand Parking lot. So I couldn't get into the parking lot (yes, I was focused on how to get the sausage, not the fact I shouldn't interrupt this arrest or become any part of it). So I went across the interstate and grabbed some Greek Lasagna. So by the time the dogs were walked, and I was sitting down to dinner it was 815. D got home around 10. I really appreciate all that he does with the dogs and cooking, because I think I got 50 new gray hairs trying to take care of it all by myself.
Saturday, SB and I went for a 3 mile run. I can't remember the last time I ran 3 miles straight (without walking). SB and I did it in 41 minutes which is good considering I had to drag him a few times. He doesn't like intersections and would sit down at every one, so I would have to turn back, grab his collar and "help" him through the intersection. He still seemed to have fun. (D took McMenamin). We were going to take the dogs to the cemetery for a concert, but with it being 95 degrees, that wasn't going to happen. So D and I went to the Terrapin Takeover at another bar, and sampled some.
This week is another tempo run. 45 minutes. I believe I will mildly run 1.3, run crazy 2.2 and run mildly 1. That should be good. I also have a concert and a Professional Meeting to go to. Like always, I will fit it all in or worry about it until Saturday.
Monday D and I lifted, so I ran 1 mile. I almost can break 11 minutes. I just have to plan the timing better. But it is cool to be done in almost less than 11 minutes. Tuesday, the weather didn't get about 61 degrees. So I took advantage of the lovely weather and ran outside (4.5 miles).
Wednesday was 9 400s. It was also a special release of Terrapin Wake-n-Bake at a local pub for American Craft Beer Week. And D was going out of town on Thursday, so we HAD to go get one. Yeah, so the 9 400s, didn't happen.
Thursday, any thought of the 9 400s went out the window. I got home, stuck a pizza in the oven and took the dogs out for a "quick walk." Both dogs got off leash, and Scuttlebutt took off. So McMenamin and I came home so I could put on appropriate shoes to chase SB, and the house was full of smoke. It seems the broiler pan caught on fire in the oven. I will have to investigate smoke detectors since ours right by the oven didn't go off (you couldn't see from the front door to the kitchen). So after taking care of that, and changing shoes, I went and found Scuttlebutt. All of this commotion occurred in 20 minutes. So I ate the whole pizza I made (which miraculously didn't catch fire in the oven). Oh and I won't start the oven and leave the house again. Lesson learned. Then around 9 a helicopter hovered over the house looking for someone who shot at a cop (I would link you to a story, but American Idol happened that day, and Arnold Schwarzenegger had sex while not governor, so the cop shooting wasn't covered on the 10pm news like those other important items were). So then I had to spend the time, closing the doors that were open from the smoke, pray no one was going to kill me, and quiet the dogs (who didn't get the last walk of the night because of the helicopter). So any thought of 9 400s was really gone.
Friday, I didn't get home until 745 because I went to get a chicken sausage, but there was a guy face down on the ground with the cops pointing guns, and handcuffing him in the Chicken Sausage Stand Parking lot. So I couldn't get into the parking lot (yes, I was focused on how to get the sausage, not the fact I shouldn't interrupt this arrest or become any part of it). So I went across the interstate and grabbed some Greek Lasagna. So by the time the dogs were walked, and I was sitting down to dinner it was 815. D got home around 10. I really appreciate all that he does with the dogs and cooking, because I think I got 50 new gray hairs trying to take care of it all by myself.
Saturday, SB and I went for a 3 mile run. I can't remember the last time I ran 3 miles straight (without walking). SB and I did it in 41 minutes which is good considering I had to drag him a few times. He doesn't like intersections and would sit down at every one, so I would have to turn back, grab his collar and "help" him through the intersection. He still seemed to have fun. (D took McMenamin). We were going to take the dogs to the cemetery for a concert, but with it being 95 degrees, that wasn't going to happen. So D and I went to the Terrapin Takeover at another bar, and sampled some.
This week is another tempo run. 45 minutes. I believe I will mildly run 1.3, run crazy 2.2 and run mildly 1. That should be good. I also have a concert and a Professional Meeting to go to. Like always, I will fit it all in or worry about it until Saturday.
Friday, May 13, 2011
I'm Totally Following a Plan...Sorta!
So with the Kentucky Derby 13.1 behind me, I was at a loss of what to do.
Then my performance objectives at work came on the horizon and I have to get 2 Certifications. So it appears in the near future there will be a 10K, and a lot of studying for Cert. #1 (that I have been putting off for 3+ years). I'm not looking forward to it at all (the studying).
As for the 10K, well, I got a 10K PR while running 13.1 miles. So that leads me to believe if I actually tried to pace myself for 6 miles, I might even be faster. So off to Hal Higdon I went. Let me say...no way in hell I'm running/working out more than 4 days a week if I'm not training for a triathlon. Let me say...no way in hell am I running 3 miles and then lifting weights. Oh and I'm starting on Week 3.
So Monday, I walked .25 miles, ran 1 mile and walked .25 miles. I think I shocked both D and myself when I got the treadmill to 5.7 mph and stayed there for at least 4 minutes (I was building up to it). I ran my mile in 11:17. And I think I could have gone faster (or stayed at 5.7 longer). Then we lifted weights. On the last station, I did heel lifts. I think I had too much weight. Did I change it? No. Has my hip hurt since then? Yes. So note to D...don't let me lift whatever is written on the chart on Monday.
Tuesday, was a standard 4 mile run. However, somewhere on Monday I came in contact with turkey. The way Nitmos describes speedwork, well that's the way I describe turkey and me...except no looksee. So thanks to a restaurant who was told of the allergy and still didn't wash their knives between cutting sandwiches, I got to spend the day at home on Wednesday. After eating a Clif Bar (because high fiber is just what is called for) and feeling decent, I went and did a tempo run.
I never did a tempo run before. Reading the 18 articles about it on the web didn't clear it up for me. I had a 40 minute one scheduled. However, I run slow as molasses. So 40 minutes won't even be 4 miles. I couldn't find anything to compute the minutes to miles (like C25K says either run this long, or run this distance). So I decided I would run 1 miles at a "normal" pace, 2 miles at a comfortably hard pace, and 1 mile back at normal. So the first mile went fine (4.7 mph); jacked it up to 5.1 mph for 1.2 miles before I decided I would die, and took it to 4.9 mph for the last .8. The last mile was between 4.3 and 4.7mph. I got the 4 miles done in 50:33 minutes (fast for me).
This morning, I got up and went to do Tuesday's run (the Hal Higdon 3 miles for Thursdays is already out the door). I started at 4.7mph and immediately knew that wasn't happening. Neither was running straight through. I knocked it to 4.5mph and did 4:1 intervals. I bounced between 4.5 and 4.7 for 54:52 minutes when the TM finally said, 4 MILES. I did my cooldown and stretches. Oh and someone disobeyed the urinal/TM rule, but he didn't smell, so I was nice, and didn't sneeze on him.
Next up is 6 miles on Saturday (yeah, that Hal Higdon Cross Training day isn't happening either.).
Then my performance objectives at work came on the horizon and I have to get 2 Certifications. So it appears in the near future there will be a 10K, and a lot of studying for Cert. #1 (that I have been putting off for 3+ years). I'm not looking forward to it at all (the studying).
As for the 10K, well, I got a 10K PR while running 13.1 miles. So that leads me to believe if I actually tried to pace myself for 6 miles, I might even be faster. So off to Hal Higdon I went. Let me say...no way in hell I'm running/working out more than 4 days a week if I'm not training for a triathlon. Let me say...no way in hell am I running 3 miles and then lifting weights. Oh and I'm starting on Week 3.
So Monday, I walked .25 miles, ran 1 mile and walked .25 miles. I think I shocked both D and myself when I got the treadmill to 5.7 mph and stayed there for at least 4 minutes (I was building up to it). I ran my mile in 11:17. And I think I could have gone faster (or stayed at 5.7 longer). Then we lifted weights. On the last station, I did heel lifts. I think I had too much weight. Did I change it? No. Has my hip hurt since then? Yes. So note to D...don't let me lift whatever is written on the chart on Monday.
Tuesday, was a standard 4 mile run. However, somewhere on Monday I came in contact with turkey. The way Nitmos describes speedwork, well that's the way I describe turkey and me...except no looksee. So thanks to a restaurant who was told of the allergy and still didn't wash their knives between cutting sandwiches, I got to spend the day at home on Wednesday. After eating a Clif Bar (because high fiber is just what is called for) and feeling decent, I went and did a tempo run.
I never did a tempo run before. Reading the 18 articles about it on the web didn't clear it up for me. I had a 40 minute one scheduled. However, I run slow as molasses. So 40 minutes won't even be 4 miles. I couldn't find anything to compute the minutes to miles (like C25K says either run this long, or run this distance). So I decided I would run 1 miles at a "normal" pace, 2 miles at a comfortably hard pace, and 1 mile back at normal. So the first mile went fine (4.7 mph); jacked it up to 5.1 mph for 1.2 miles before I decided I would die, and took it to 4.9 mph for the last .8. The last mile was between 4.3 and 4.7mph. I got the 4 miles done in 50:33 minutes (fast for me).
This morning, I got up and went to do Tuesday's run (the Hal Higdon 3 miles for Thursdays is already out the door). I started at 4.7mph and immediately knew that wasn't happening. Neither was running straight through. I knocked it to 4.5mph and did 4:1 intervals. I bounced between 4.5 and 4.7 for 54:52 minutes when the TM finally said, 4 MILES. I did my cooldown and stretches. Oh and someone disobeyed the urinal/TM rule, but he didn't smell, so I was nice, and didn't sneeze on him.
Next up is 6 miles on Saturday (yeah, that Hal Higdon Cross Training day isn't happening either.).
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
My 2nd Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon
So Friday morning we got up and packed. Once again, Advil was its own meal. I had been downing it since the tornadoes came through the south. I don't know if it was the pressure changes or my actual hip, but too close to 13.1 miles, I wasn't going to let a stupid hip stop me...especially since I had 2.
D and I packed. I came downstairs and still saw the Advil on the counter. Grabbed it and threw it in my bag. He told me he packed my Clif Bars. That he had left one so I would have breakfast on Tuesday. We packed the car and left.
On the way up, we passed a tornado'd section of I-75 at Mile 296. It was just eery. No houses or businesses, just a whole bunch of trees cut at the same level. This is where I had heard the interstate was closed the day before. At Mile 320ish there was a vague sign that said that the Interstate was impassable in Ringold, GA at 348. There were no detour signs, and no other cars seemed worried (braking), so I decided 348 must be a road, and not a mile marker. I was wrong. So was the sign. At MM 348 you couldn't get off in Ringold. There was no more McDonald's, Baymont Inn, Waffle House, and a ton more. I think 8 people had died. Just complete devastation, and 1/4 mile away everything was fine. The traffic was backed up 2 miles, and people were taking pictures. I didn't. If you want to see them, I'm sure you can find some on ajc.com or another newpaper. We finally got through that, and reached Chattanooga. There we found ourselves in the backup of an accident. After 30 minutes, we got through that. We stopped in Manchester, TN and had lunch, so I could check my work email. Nothing I needed to do, so fries and a chicken sandwich later, we were off. I wonder though...does Manchester have an plumbing issue...on the way there and the way back we stopped in Manchester and both places had signs not to put toilet paper in the toilet (as well as paper towels.). Yes, it is gross.
So another accident right outside of Nashville, and we finally found ourselves in KY. And then finally, the Seelbach in Louisville. I can tell you right now, spend fewer bucks and stay at the Hampton 2 blocks away. We stayed at the Seelbach for 1 reason...Guinness. When we made the reservation, she was still alive and it was the only hotel that was less than $300 a night (it was $125, I think) that allowed dogs. But the place sucked. Our mattress might have been from 1930...it sunk in the middle. It was a double bed. The walls were thin, so during Prom Season, we got to hear one Prommie get arrested for passing out in the hallway (not a guest) and 2 vomit in the room beside us.
So anyway, we checked in, and made our way over to the convention center to get our stuff. My hip hurt a little, and my stomach hurt (like a pit in my stomach). We got our stuff and made our way to Red Star in 4th Street Live. 2 beers later, I convinced myself I left my Garmin at home.
My friends texted me that I needed to relax. D told me I needed to relax. We went and got some pizza. It was cheesesteak pizza, but was nothing like that which you get in Philly or even Baltimore. I got mayonnaise for it, but then decided with my luck, it would be rancid and I would have food poisoning the next day. We called it a night and went back to the hotel. We watched TV until 11, I found my Garmin, and we tried to sleep. I checked my watch every 20 minutes. 4th Street Live closes around 3AM, at least they have a police siren clear the place. The hallway was filled with loud people, and another Prommie was going to go home at 9AM because she had homework, another Prommie was looking for a condom, and my stomach really hurt. I don't know how I fell asleep but I slept from 3-6 when my alarm went off (I got 3 hours of sleep a night ).
Got up and got dressed. Asked D where the Clif Bars were. He said in his bag. I emptied his bag and asked him again where they were. He said probably on the kitchen stove. I told him to stop talking to me if he knew what was good for him, because someone must die, and he was the first available. I drank my water that I packed and tried to figure out what to do (I should mention besides being a bitch, I'm not a morning person). Should I eat a piece of pizza? Should I get a bagel? Since I have never run a long run not eating a Clif Bar, I really was getting more and more worried and pissed off. Think...Then it hit me that I might have one in my purse or laptop case. For as much as Hampton Inn is better than a full blown Hilton, their breakfasts usually include turkey (allergy) so I bring mine. Score, I had one bar in my bag that I hadn't given the meth head on my way to work. Thank God. I told D to give me 5 minutes, to get in my head that it was an honest mistake and I wouldn't be mad. He said ok (he doesn't eat anything before a long run). I put Body Glide on my chest, which which I normally don't do, but had gotten sore from the 12 mile run I did. I forgot to put it on my foot. I don't know where D puts BG. I don't think I want to know.
So off to the race we went. D said his one nipple was hard. Yep. He had BG'd the hell out of it. We held hands walking. We walked .88 miles until we found the bag checkin. (This was a different course than 2010) Then we found D's corral (C). Mine was F. I had already decided I was running with the 13:40 minute pacer. We walked and walked and walked. We were almost to a bridge (like .5 miles from Corral B), when I saw a sign for Corral D. Seriously? I decided I was going in Corral D. D and I took a picture.
I told him I was scared shitless, and he went back to his corral. Everyone around me was E, F or G. I saw the 13:40 pacer about .25 miles ahead of me. There was no way I could get to him. Unlike last year, the Corrals were just piss poor. But oh well. D said he didn't have that problem.
While waiting I watched the Balloon Race launch.
I listened to a man who ran the Mini 500 talk to his daughter. They were deciding if they were running together. They decided not to. I think the race had started about 15 minutes prior. Finally we crossed the start line and I hit the Garmin and the Polar.
Mile 1 was a lot of running around walkers (that was the G corral). I looked at my watch a few times and kept telling myself to slow down. I passed one RUNNER who was smoking. I was down wind, so yes I did have to speed up to pass him. WTF? I mean is your jonesing that bad? Really? We ran down Main Street. I did my 9:1 thing. When Garmin said 1 mile, I had to run another .1 to get to where KY Derby said it was.
Mile 1 12:29...too fast. (2011 12:29|2010 13:38)
Mile 2 was a zig zag. I almost got hit by a course biker. I told him he was an asshole. Nothing exciting...13:13. Still worried about going to fast.
Mile 2 13:13...too fast. (2011 13:13|2010 13:44)
We turned onto 18th street. This was probably my favorite part. The people in the houses all came out and cheered. There was no groups but just the people. And while they were cheering you, they seemed to appreciate you waving back or saying thank you. It was really nice.
Mile 3: 13:21 Settling in. (2011 13:21|2010 14:49)
During this time, Pearl Jam's Amongst the Waves started playing. I thought about Guinness and started to cry. I had really hoped she would have made it to this. I know it was silly and I know people thought I was a loon. But I just cried, ran and sang. I stopped and got some water. When the song stopped, I stopped crying and continued on my way.
Mile 4: 13:32 (2011 13:32|2010 14:11)
We turned onto 4th Street. This was very boring. And it smelled. It smelled like Horse Manure and BO. I noticed this woman in front of me. If I passed her the BO went away as did the manure. I figured we were near Churchill Downs. But then I couldn't figure it out. It was just so bizarre She kept passing me, so I kept being downwind. I finally decided I had enough of this and ran fast enough to pass her and then some. We got to another water stop. I didn't take any because I didn't want to cramp up. D said he smelled the manure at this part. He was sure the city had laid down fresh mulch around trees on the sidewalk.
Mile 5: 13:20 (2011 13:20|2010 13:55)
So Mile 5 was still on 4th Street with a little jaunt to 6th Street and back. I wondered how far off my Garmin was now, and if I would get a 10K PR. For some reason most people started walking here. I ran through Red Rover Red Rover style through a group. Not intentionally, but there was no way I could stop. I hit mile 6 and my 10K and then ran back onto 4th Street where the official 10K was. I got a PR!
Mile 6: 13:19 (2011 13:19|2010 14:42)
10K: 83:04
So then more of 4th Street. I passed the "If you are still running, we are still drinking" team. High 5's. Part of U of Louisville. I grabbed some water at an unofficial stop. The guy who had run the Mini 500 Marathon came up on my side. We chatted for awhile. He gave me some sport jelly beans. We chatted until he went and got some water. That was after mile 7.
Mile 7: 13:47 (2011 13:47|2010 14:48)
I came up an incline, turned and was at Churchill Downs.
Mile 8: 13:27 (2011 13:27|2010 15:24)
Here was where I hit one of 2 hills (both at CD). One was entering (going under the track) and one was leaving (going under the track).
While in there I might have walked a little more than I was supposed to. I might have taken some pics. D took a lot of pics when he was in there. These are his. But I saw the same thing.
I came out and was by some U of L Cardinal Stadium and ran. This was also where they had the half/full split. They were still letting you run the full, so I had made it that far (last year, you had to go to the half). I got some water and ate a jelly bean.
Mile 9: 15:52 (yeah, I walked a lot) (2011 15:52|2010 15:50)
I mostly focused on getting my pace back up. It was a bit of a struggle. This was also where the marathoners re-joined us. For the most part the HM were on the left and the M's were on the right. Some HM were all over the place. I busted out laughing though when one M told us "SLOW PEOPLE TO ALL GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY," and about 10 people stopped dead in their tracks. He tripped on the sidewalk. I'm sorry, it was funny, I know it is annoying, but really. I also started thinking it was odd there was no Powerade on this course. I know I said I wasn't going to drink it, but it popped into my head. My legs started hurting, and all of the sudden I wanted a pretzel. Like NOW! I passed that beer drinking team (they moved from 4th to 3rd street). I high-5'd and stopped looked at a guy, grabbed his Bud Light, and chugged. It was awesome. Then I started running. At Mile 10 there was a powerade stop. I didn't have any.
Mile 10: 14:46 (2011 14:46|2010 16:37)
I ate another jelly bean. I decided I was going to walk the rest of the way. After a minute I ran 2. Then I walked. Then I ran. Then I told myself to get this thing fucking finished (sorry, but that is the way I talk to myself).
Mile 11: 15:25. (2011 15:25|2010 19:44)
I tried to just focus on finishing the Mile. I had energy. I just didn't feel like running anymore. Like it was ok to walk. I really pulled deep and shuffled my feet. I told myself to go. My head kept going, "Don't worry about it. Not like you running is going to make you any faster than that walked." "What the fuck is wrong with you...you can run faster." I decided I was delirious from the lack of jelly beans so I ate another one. And got a water.
Mile 12: 15:12 (2011 15:12|2010 16:46)
I texted D I was at 12 miles (this was during the walk of my 9:1 walk which I decided to recommit to). Then I decided to finish this. And finish strong. That jelly bean was going to make me Super Man. I started looking at people and deciding to clip them off one at the time. And I did. Got back to Main Street. Passed the Yum Center. Passed some bars. Passed Elvis. Passed where we dropped off our bag. Where the hell is the turn?
Mile 13: 12:03 (2011 12:03|2010 16:11)
OK this is a pain. My watch says 13.1 and I haven't turned! Finally I see the turn. I'm going to be that person and chick this man right at the end. That is if I don't puke first. I let it go. I high 5'd the officials. I felt great. And I crossed the line.
.36 miles: 4:31
I found D immediately, got my medal and got some water and Powerade and banana. D opened his bag and I shoved a lot of food in. Then we walked gingerly (Louisville had some floods) to get a beer. They wouldn't let us out of the park with the beer so we each had 4 sips and left it on a wall. The Bud Light I had earlier tasted much better than the Mich Ultra. But that might have been the water, banana, powerade, and chocolate milk before.
We walked back to the hotel and then went drinking. I checked the Polar. My strap must have had too much Body Glide...I don't think I only burned 800 calories. D's had one part bloody shirt.
So it was a different course than last year, but how did I do?
2011: 3:04:16
2010: 3:24:46
D's times were better too:
2011: 2:03:55
2010: 2:10:37
Perhaps if we stopped taking pictures in Churchill Downs we could break that pesky 3 and 2 barrier. :)
D and I packed. I came downstairs and still saw the Advil on the counter. Grabbed it and threw it in my bag. He told me he packed my Clif Bars. That he had left one so I would have breakfast on Tuesday. We packed the car and left.
On the way up, we passed a tornado'd section of I-75 at Mile 296. It was just eery. No houses or businesses, just a whole bunch of trees cut at the same level. This is where I had heard the interstate was closed the day before. At Mile 320ish there was a vague sign that said that the Interstate was impassable in Ringold, GA at 348. There were no detour signs, and no other cars seemed worried (braking), so I decided 348 must be a road, and not a mile marker. I was wrong. So was the sign. At MM 348 you couldn't get off in Ringold. There was no more McDonald's, Baymont Inn, Waffle House, and a ton more. I think 8 people had died. Just complete devastation, and 1/4 mile away everything was fine. The traffic was backed up 2 miles, and people were taking pictures. I didn't. If you want to see them, I'm sure you can find some on ajc.com or another newpaper. We finally got through that, and reached Chattanooga. There we found ourselves in the backup of an accident. After 30 minutes, we got through that. We stopped in Manchester, TN and had lunch, so I could check my work email. Nothing I needed to do, so fries and a chicken sandwich later, we were off. I wonder though...does Manchester have an plumbing issue...on the way there and the way back we stopped in Manchester and both places had signs not to put toilet paper in the toilet (as well as paper towels.). Yes, it is gross.
So another accident right outside of Nashville, and we finally found ourselves in KY. And then finally, the Seelbach in Louisville. I can tell you right now, spend fewer bucks and stay at the Hampton 2 blocks away. We stayed at the Seelbach for 1 reason...Guinness. When we made the reservation, she was still alive and it was the only hotel that was less than $300 a night (it was $125, I think) that allowed dogs. But the place sucked. Our mattress might have been from 1930...it sunk in the middle. It was a double bed. The walls were thin, so during Prom Season, we got to hear one Prommie get arrested for passing out in the hallway (not a guest) and 2 vomit in the room beside us.
So anyway, we checked in, and made our way over to the convention center to get our stuff. My hip hurt a little, and my stomach hurt (like a pit in my stomach). We got our stuff and made our way to Red Star in 4th Street Live. 2 beers later, I convinced myself I left my Garmin at home.
 |
| Beer to Calm My Nerves |
Got up and got dressed. Asked D where the Clif Bars were. He said in his bag. I emptied his bag and asked him again where they were. He said probably on the kitchen stove. I told him to stop talking to me if he knew what was good for him, because someone must die, and he was the first available. I drank my water that I packed and tried to figure out what to do (I should mention besides being a bitch, I'm not a morning person). Should I eat a piece of pizza? Should I get a bagel? Since I have never run a long run not eating a Clif Bar, I really was getting more and more worried and pissed off. Think...Then it hit me that I might have one in my purse or laptop case. For as much as Hampton Inn is better than a full blown Hilton, their breakfasts usually include turkey (allergy) so I bring mine. Score, I had one bar in my bag that I hadn't given the meth head on my way to work. Thank God. I told D to give me 5 minutes, to get in my head that it was an honest mistake and I wouldn't be mad. He said ok (he doesn't eat anything before a long run). I put Body Glide on my chest, which which I normally don't do, but had gotten sore from the 12 mile run I did. I forgot to put it on my foot. I don't know where D puts BG. I don't think I want to know.
 |
| D and I after the Clif Bar Debacle...I had calmed down |
 |
| D and I looking for my corral |
While waiting I watched the Balloon Race launch.
 |
| Balloon Races |
I listened to a man who ran the Mini 500 talk to his daughter. They were deciding if they were running together. They decided not to. I think the race had started about 15 minutes prior. Finally we crossed the start line and I hit the Garmin and the Polar.
Mile 1 was a lot of running around walkers (that was the G corral). I looked at my watch a few times and kept telling myself to slow down. I passed one RUNNER who was smoking. I was down wind, so yes I did have to speed up to pass him. WTF? I mean is your jonesing that bad? Really? We ran down Main Street. I did my 9:1 thing. When Garmin said 1 mile, I had to run another .1 to get to where KY Derby said it was.
Mile 1 12:29...too fast. (2011 12:29|2010 13:38)
Mile 2 was a zig zag. I almost got hit by a course biker. I told him he was an asshole. Nothing exciting...13:13. Still worried about going to fast.
Mile 2 13:13...too fast. (2011 13:13|2010 13:44)
We turned onto 18th street. This was probably my favorite part. The people in the houses all came out and cheered. There was no groups but just the people. And while they were cheering you, they seemed to appreciate you waving back or saying thank you. It was really nice.
Mile 3: 13:21 Settling in. (2011 13:21|2010 14:49)
During this time, Pearl Jam's Amongst the Waves started playing. I thought about Guinness and started to cry. I had really hoped she would have made it to this. I know it was silly and I know people thought I was a loon. But I just cried, ran and sang. I stopped and got some water. When the song stopped, I stopped crying and continued on my way.
Mile 4: 13:32 (2011 13:32|2010 14:11)
We turned onto 4th Street. This was very boring. And it smelled. It smelled like Horse Manure and BO. I noticed this woman in front of me. If I passed her the BO went away as did the manure. I figured we were near Churchill Downs. But then I couldn't figure it out. It was just so bizarre She kept passing me, so I kept being downwind. I finally decided I had enough of this and ran fast enough to pass her and then some. We got to another water stop. I didn't take any because I didn't want to cramp up. D said he smelled the manure at this part. He was sure the city had laid down fresh mulch around trees on the sidewalk.
Mile 5: 13:20 (2011 13:20|2010 13:55)
So Mile 5 was still on 4th Street with a little jaunt to 6th Street and back. I wondered how far off my Garmin was now, and if I would get a 10K PR. For some reason most people started walking here. I ran through Red Rover Red Rover style through a group. Not intentionally, but there was no way I could stop. I hit mile 6 and my 10K and then ran back onto 4th Street where the official 10K was. I got a PR!
Mile 6: 13:19 (2011 13:19|2010 14:42)
10K: 83:04
So then more of 4th Street. I passed the "If you are still running, we are still drinking" team. High 5's. Part of U of Louisville. I grabbed some water at an unofficial stop. The guy who had run the Mini 500 Marathon came up on my side. We chatted for awhile. He gave me some sport jelly beans. We chatted until he went and got some water. That was after mile 7.
Mile 7: 13:47 (2011 13:47|2010 14:48)
I came up an incline, turned and was at Churchill Downs.
Mile 8: 13:27 (2011 13:27|2010 15:24)
 |
| Coming onto Churchill Downs |
Here was where I hit one of 2 hills (both at CD). One was entering (going under the track) and one was leaving (going under the track).
 |
| Running under the track |
 |
| Twin Spires |
 |
| Horses running around us |
I came out and was by some U of L Cardinal Stadium and ran. This was also where they had the half/full split. They were still letting you run the full, so I had made it that far (last year, you had to go to the half). I got some water and ate a jelly bean.
Mile 9: 15:52 (yeah, I walked a lot) (2011 15:52|2010 15:50)
I mostly focused on getting my pace back up. It was a bit of a struggle. This was also where the marathoners re-joined us. For the most part the HM were on the left and the M's were on the right. Some HM were all over the place. I busted out laughing though when one M told us "SLOW PEOPLE TO ALL GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY," and about 10 people stopped dead in their tracks. He tripped on the sidewalk. I'm sorry, it was funny, I know it is annoying, but really. I also started thinking it was odd there was no Powerade on this course. I know I said I wasn't going to drink it, but it popped into my head. My legs started hurting, and all of the sudden I wanted a pretzel. Like NOW! I passed that beer drinking team (they moved from 4th to 3rd street). I high-5'd and stopped looked at a guy, grabbed his Bud Light, and chugged. It was awesome. Then I started running. At Mile 10 there was a powerade stop. I didn't have any.
Mile 10: 14:46 (2011 14:46|2010 16:37)
I ate another jelly bean. I decided I was going to walk the rest of the way. After a minute I ran 2. Then I walked. Then I ran. Then I told myself to get this thing fucking finished (sorry, but that is the way I talk to myself).
Mile 11: 15:25. (2011 15:25|2010 19:44)
I tried to just focus on finishing the Mile. I had energy. I just didn't feel like running anymore. Like it was ok to walk. I really pulled deep and shuffled my feet. I told myself to go. My head kept going, "Don't worry about it. Not like you running is going to make you any faster than that walked." "What the fuck is wrong with you...you can run faster." I decided I was delirious from the lack of jelly beans so I ate another one. And got a water.
Mile 12: 15:12 (2011 15:12|2010 16:46)
I texted D I was at 12 miles (this was during the walk of my 9:1 walk which I decided to recommit to). Then I decided to finish this. And finish strong. That jelly bean was going to make me Super Man. I started looking at people and deciding to clip them off one at the time. And I did. Got back to Main Street. Passed the Yum Center. Passed some bars. Passed Elvis. Passed where we dropped off our bag. Where the hell is the turn?
Mile 13: 12:03 (2011 12:03|2010 16:11)
OK this is a pain. My watch says 13.1 and I haven't turned! Finally I see the turn. I'm going to be that person and chick this man right at the end. That is if I don't puke first. I let it go. I high 5'd the officials. I felt great. And I crossed the line.
.36 miles: 4:31
 |
| The finish line |
I found D immediately, got my medal and got some water and Powerade and banana. D opened his bag and I shoved a lot of food in. Then we walked gingerly (Louisville had some floods) to get a beer. They wouldn't let us out of the park with the beer so we each had 4 sips and left it on a wall. The Bud Light I had earlier tasted much better than the Mich Ultra. But that might have been the water, banana, powerade, and chocolate milk before.
 |
| D and I with our Michelob Ultra |
We walked back to the hotel and then went drinking. I checked the Polar. My strap must have had too much Body Glide...I don't think I only burned 800 calories. D's had one part bloody shirt.
 |
| Our Bling |
2011: 3:04:16
2010: 3:24:46
D's times were better too:
2011: 2:03:55
2010: 2:10:37
 |
| D and I at Bluegrass Brewery |
 |
| Dark Star Porter and Coffee Stout |
 |
| Look at who we ran into on the street (Bob Baffert, trainer of 3 KY Derby Winners) |
 |
| Some lady...I just liked her hat |
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Getting Ready for a Half-Marathon
- Hip hurting- Check
- Trees blocking Interstate to Kentucky-Check
- Work Suggesting this is not the best weekend for me to take a "vacation"- Check
- Dogs waking us up at 2AM and staying up until 4AM- Check
- The last 3 runs include 2 crappy ones, and one missed- Check, Check and Check.
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